Lysine & Arginine Food Database

Browse our database of 6,000+ foods with lysine and arginine content information.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) requires arginine — an amino acid found in many common foods — to replicate. Maintaining a diet where lysine consistently outweighs arginine is one of the most evidence-backed nutritional strategies for reducing the frequency of herpes outbreaks. This database lets you check the exact lysine-to-arginine ratio for over 6,000 foods, so you can make smarter choices at every meal.

A ratio above 1.0 (more lysine than arginine) is generally considered favourable for people managing herpes. Foods with ratios below 0.5 — particularly nuts, seeds, and chocolate — are the most likely to tip the balance in the virus's favour. Use the search and category filters below to find the foods you eat most often, then check out our guide on how to build a herpes-friendly diet for practical meal planning advice.

Showing all foods
Name ⇅ Category ⇅ Lysine (mg) ⇅ Arginine (mg) ⇅ Ratio ⇅
Moringa Vegetable 570 120 4.75
Beets Vegetable 52.94 22.06 2.4
Tomato Vegetable 33.3 21.9 1.52
Turnips Vegetable 36.2 23.8 1.52
Carob Flour Vegetable 196 130 1.51
Tomato Juice Vegetable 22.2 14.8 1.5
Jalapeño Peppers Vegetable 100 70 1.43
Tomato Paste Vegetable 107.6 76.3 1.41
Potato Vegetable 126.7 93.3 1.36
Celery Vegetable 26.67 20 1.33
Potato, Baking Vegetable 139.6 105.45 1.32
Summer Squash Vegetable 65.38 50 1.31
Zucchini Vegetable 35 27 1.3
Green Beans Vegetable 88.18 72.73 1.21
Lettuce, Romaine Vegetable 103.57 89.29 1.16
Lettuce, Iceberg Vegetable 80 69.33 1.15
Cauliflower Vegetable 108 96 1.13
Maca Powder Vegetable 180 170 1.06
Sweet Potato Vegetable 80.77 76.92 1.05
Turnip Greens Vegetable 98.18 94.55 1.04
French Fries Vegetable 147 145 1.01
Asparagus Vegetable 144 143 1.01
Beet Greens Vegetable 53 53 1
Endive Vegetable 64 64 1
Leeks Vegetable 78 78 1
Pumpkin Vegetable 39 39 1
Okra Vegetable 82 84 0.98
Broccoli Vegetable 124 128 0.97
Mustard Greens Vegetable 159 165 0.96
Hot Chili Pepper Vegetable 59.93 64.86 0.92
Parsnip Vegetable 58.6 64 0.92
Carrots Vegetable 44 48 0.92
Bell Peppers Vegetable 38 42 0.91
Radish Vegetable 16 18 0.89
Mung Bean Sprouts Vegetable 166 197 0.84
Eggplant Vegetable 51.22 60.98 0.84
Cabbage, Common Vegetable 57.14 68.57 0.83
Cabbage Vegetable 40 48 0.83
Dandelion Greens Vegetable 134 168 0.8
Green Peas Vegetable 317.12 427.4 0.74
Brussels Sprouts Vegetable 147.73 202.27 0.73
Jicama Vegetable 26 37 0.7
Spaghetti Squash Vegetable 22 33 0.67
Green Onions Vegetable 4 6 0.67
Pickles Vegetable 26 40 0.65
Alfalfa Sprouts Vegetable 690 1130 0.61
Cucumber Vegetable 22 36 0.61
Kimchi Vegetable 27.73 45.4 0.61
Hearts of Palm Vegetable 97 178 0.55
Yams Vegetable 44.5 95.5 0.47
Pumpkin Seeds and Squash Vegetable 1807.1 3978.6 0.45
Garlic Vegetable 266.7 633.3 0.42
Arugula Vegetable 40 105 0.38
Onions Vegetable 56.3 163.8 0.34
Cassava Vegetable 29.73 92.57 0.32
Jerusalem Artichoke Vegetable 286.6 1031 0.28

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How to Use the Lysine-Arginine Ratio

The ratio shown in the database is calculated as lysine ÷ arginine per 100g of food. Higher is better for people with herpes. Here is a quick guide to interpreting the numbers:

  • Ratio > 2.0: Excellent — strongly favours lysine. Examples: most fish, poultry, and dairy.
  • Ratio 1.0–2.0: Good — more lysine than arginine. Safe to eat freely.
  • Ratio 0.5–1.0: Moderate — roughly balanced. Eat in moderation alongside high-lysine foods.
  • Ratio < 0.5: Unfavourable — significantly more arginine than lysine. Limit these foods, especially during or before an outbreak.

All values in the database are per 100g of food unless stated otherwise. Portion size matters: a small amount of a high-arginine food may still be fine in the context of an otherwise lysine-rich meal. Focus on your overall daily ratio rather than avoiding individual foods entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which foods have the highest lysine-to-arginine ratio?

Fish consistently top the database — particularly flounder, cod, halibut, and sole — with ratios of 3.0 or higher. Poultry (chicken and turkey breast) and most dairy products (cottage cheese, ricotta, Greek yogurt) also score very favourably. Among plant foods, mangoes and papayas have unusually high lysine-to-arginine ratios compared to most fruits.

Which common foods are highest in arginine and worst for herpes?

Nuts are the biggest concern — particularly peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, which have arginine-to-lysine ratios of 3:1 or higher. Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin) are similarly high in arginine. Chocolate and cocoa are notorious for their high arginine content. Among grains, oats and wheat germ have higher arginine relative to refined grains. These foods are not forbidden, but they are best eaten alongside high-lysine proteins to offset the arginine load.

How much lysine per day is recommended for herpes management?

Clinical studies on lysine for herpes have used doses ranging from 1,000mg to 3,000mg daily. For maintenance (outbreak prevention), 1,000–1,500mg per day is the most commonly studied dose. For acute outbreak treatment, 3,000mg per day for 5–7 days is sometimes used. These amounts are achievable through diet alone only if you are eating substantial portions of lysine-rich proteins at multiple meals — supplementation fills the gap for most people. Always discuss supplementation doses with your healthcare provider, as high-dose lysine can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

Can I use this database to plan a herpes-friendly meal plan?

Yes. Search for the protein sources you eat most regularly and confirm they have ratios above 1.0. Then check snack foods, nuts, and any protein supplements you use — these are the most likely sources of hidden arginine in a typical diet. Building meals around fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy as your primary proteins, with vegetables and fruits as sides, will naturally produce a lysine-favourable diet for most people. Our guide to the best foods for cold sores provides a practical meal planning framework using this data.